Health Insurance - Should I Get Dentals Extra OR Just Save/Shop around and Pay Cash?

LPoorhara on 18/06/2023 - 15:45
Last edited 18/06/2023 - 16:22

Hi OzBargain. I will be purchasing Basic Hospital cover very shortly as I am anticipating earning >90k for the next financial year.
28YO and for the most part healthy.
The dilemma I have is I need to also start looking at taking care of my dental as well, so need to also consider this.
The biggest thing is I will need to remove 4x wisdom teeth shortly, so will require check-up/x-ray/anything related etc. and anything else I'm not aware of currently.
I also need to be more regular with my visits for check up and cleans, 2x year minimum.

Should I get cover for dental also, or just shop around and pay cash?

I have never gotten private health insurance in the past and generally don't like the idea of paying Premiums unless there would be a clear benefit.
I have no issues at all with saving the money and paying upfront unless there is some mechanism I am not aware of that would save me more money.

The best thing I could find that might be remotely worth it is AHM no gap dental (2x free check ups per financial year at approved), although its not very clear if x-ray etc. are included? This is about an extra $200 on top of what I am expecting to pay for hospital cover.
Even if it was slightly more I would still prefer the option to be able to shop around/compare and pay cash.

From my research, it has been a mixed bags as to whether it is worth it or not…

Also, to save on the Medicare surcharge, is it as simple as taking out cover starting 01/07/2023?
Thanks.

Edit: Looks like Bupa has 6 weeks free + $300 woolworths dollars + 2 months waiting period waived. So overall even better? Considering I cancel etc on time.

Financial Health Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • thatonethere on 18/06/2023 - 16:11

    The ahm doesnt include xrays etc. They are about $25 after claim

    However looking after your teeth when "young" is a good long term investment. Save you thousands.

  • parsimonious one on 18/06/2023 - 16:12
    +2

    Extras is garbage imho

    They pay back a pittance a small fraction of the out of pocket costs. Much better off just keep some money aside to pay for the treatment as you need it

    It irks me how much money I wasted on extras before realising, for a young healthy person, it’s unnecessary

    • Sinnerator on 20/06/2023 - 08:36

      NIB dental extras has been great AS LONG AS YOU USE IT

  • DingoBilly on 18/06/2023 - 16:36
    +1

    AHM extras is great and easily worth it. I get the basic 50% off one with physio and dental and always max out my claims, so its easy to calculate as a $300-$400 saving (2 dental inspections a year and a few sessions of physio as i am very active).

    Not sure what other poster above meant but I've never had to pay extra for xrays either going to pacific smiles so they cover those basics as well, but maybe you need to shop around to confirm.

    If you're not going to use the physio then I don't think the extras would be worth it (unless you need glasses/find cover that also covers that). As you said, once you hit a certain bracket the cost is just not worthwhile and when I last checked only AHM was better value.

    Yes to your surcharge question. You put in the specific amount of days you had cover for and it is calculated on a daily rate.

  • Sweet3st on 18/06/2023 - 17:26

    Sounds like you should take out cover temporarily for the wisdom teeth extractions. Drop it after that if all you'll use is 2 checkups/year.

  • holdenmg on 18/06/2023 - 18:04

    Hi,

    In SA it is worth having SA Ambulance cover, because Ambulances are not free and expensive when they do turn up…

    If you don't have Ambulance cover, look for an Extras Policy that Covers you for Emergency Ambulance Cover.

    Check carefully the Waiting or Qualifying Period on Extras as when Bupa say they will waive 2 & 6 months on Extras, that doesn't help you if your Dental is Major Dental that has a 12 month wait

    Read AHM's guide:
    https://help.ahm.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360001261435-All-a…

    Does health insurance help with the bill for wisdom teeth removal?
    Wisdom teeth may be wise, but they’re also a bit complex. Their extraction isn't one-size-fits-all; sometimes it may be a simple out-patient procedure with local anaesthetic, while on other occasions it may be an in-patient procedure under general anaesthetic at a hospital.

    When chatting to your dentist or oral surgery specialist, jot down the details – including item numbers – of your treatment plan, then give us a call to check them against your ahm extras policy inclusions. We can also check whether you've served your waiting periods and let you know if you've used your annual limit (and lifetime limit or sub-limits if applicable).

  • Sweet3st on 18/06/2023 - 19:10

    Yes, depends on how you want the wisdom teeth done. They're usually general dental in the chair, but major dental if they're surgically removed under general anaesthetic in hospital. Often people go with the latter if they need to lose all four.
    And yes, everyone should have ambulance cover although you can buy that separately for around $30.

    • holdenmg on 18/06/2023 - 19:32

      SA Ambulance is Single $92pa, or $108.70pa for Standard Cover + Interstate.

      • Sweet3st on 18/06/2023 - 22:44

        But cheaper (on its own) via health funds.

  • sumyungguy on 18/06/2023 - 21:27

    You need a quote from your dentist for item numbers: 012, 114, 121, 022. Then plug the fees into your extras policy to see what rebate you'll get.

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